Protected Planet Report 2012 Highlights Need to Conserve Global Biodiversity

The Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, one of many protected areas conserved by the IUCN, harbors one fifth of Africa’s known plant species.

 The first-ever Protected Planet Report was recently released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC). The report addresses the need to conserve areas of the natural environment by protecting local resources and native species. This will help preserve global biodiversity, the variety of living organisms that exist on the planet. The report tracks progress on Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Aichi Biodiversity Targets. According to Target 11, by 2020, 17 percent of terrestrial ecoregions and 10 percent of marine ecoregions will be properly conserved.

As the global population and their use of natural resources steadily increases, the Aichi Targets hope to protect global biodiversity from historic and emerging threats, such as pollution and over-harvesting of natural resources. Protected areas are internationally recognized regions set aside for nature and biodiversity conservation. Protected areas are crucial for reasons beyond preserving biodiversity; they also aid scientific research, maintain water supplies, and preserve sites of cultural importance. By limiting human occupation and preventing exploitation of natural resources, the UNEP-WCMC conserves protected areas around the world. According to the report, protected areas currently cover 12.7 percent of the world’s land area and 1.6 percent of the global ocean area. Meanwhile, half of the world’s most important sites for biodiversity still remain unprotected. Read more>>>

Coral Biodiversity Hotspot Is Found in Western Indian Ocean

The western Indian Ocean, especially the waters between Madagascar and Africa, contain one of the highest levels of coral diversity worldwide, with 369 coral species identified in a recent study and more still to be identified. Scientists say the western Indian Ocean may contain as much coral biodiversity as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, though not as much as the world’s richest region for corals, the so-called coral triangle in Southeast Asia. Reporting in the journal PLoS ONE, David Obura, a scientist with the Group Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean, said that 10 percent of the species are found only in the western Indian Ocean. He said the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, which sits between Madagascar and mainland Africa, contains roughly 250 to 300 coral species. Meanwhile, Australian scientists report that water temperatures around the Great Barrier Reef have increased steadily in the last 25 years, in some places rising as much as .5 degrees C. Such increases can contribute to coral bleaching, which can lead to mass coral die-offs.

Living with Fewer Species: Biodiversity from a Brand New Perspective

Are you ready to embrace an entirely new dogma? To question your existing ideas about biodiversity? Then submerge yourself in the unusual essay 'The pursuit of complexity – The utility of biodiversity from an evolutionary perspective'.

The author examines the utility of biodiversity starting at the very basics, and arrives at new answers to long-standing questions. Is it a problem if species go extinct? And is this discussion mainly a moral one, or can it be approached scientifically? The author’s conclusions are an eye-opener for anyone who asks himself elementary life questions, but they can also be directly applied in management and conservation.

Nature finds itself increasingly under pressure. Species are disappearing faster than ever before in human history. Is this a problem? Several popular publicists are arguing that ecosystems can well survive if single species go extinct. Conservationists strongly object, backed by many scientists. However, scientific arguments that confirm the use of biodiversity are still lacking. The essay 'The pursuit of complexity – The utility of biodiversity from an evolutionary perspective', written by Dutch ecologist Gerard Jagers, provides a new general frame of reference for this discussion. 

One of the main questions that Jagers tries to answer is: what is life, actually? This question will have to be answered if one is to fully understand biodiversity, the variety of all life on earth. The pursuit of complexity provides a clear starting point, and also addresses the concepts of utility and evolution. These are still scientifically debated. When we think about evolution, we immediately think about Darwin. But what is evolution exactly? This essay approaches evolution as if it were a recipe, based on actions read more>>>

Our Microbiome—Identifying the Worlds Within

From the surface of our skin to deep inside our gut, humans are teeming with microbes. The trillions of microorganisms that inhabit humans make up 1 to 3 percent of our total mass and play a vital role in our everyday functions and overall health. More than 100,000 species of bacteria have been identified in the human body, though the population distribution of bacteria can vary greatly from individual to individual. Deciphering the complexity of the human microbiome will help determine new methods for health management and treatment of disease.

Why We Defend Oceans - Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Tubbataha Reef Hailed as Conservation Model

The Philippines’ Tubbataha Reef was recently recognized by an international policy research body for the excellent care of the heritage site, hailed as a model in coral reef conservation.

The World Future Council gave one of two Silver Awards to the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act, the policy measure that created a protected marine sanctuary of almost 100,000 hectares of high-quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea.

The Tubbataha Reef, which sits in the center of the Sulu Sea southeast of Palawan, is located within the Coral Triangle, a global focus for coral biological diversity. It is home to a wide diversity of marine life and is a popular dive site. 

World Heritage Site

 

It was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in 1993. Read more>>>

Bird Population Declines in Alberta’s Boreal Forest

More than 20 per cent of Alberta’s boreal forest has been directly altered by human activities, leading to a corresponding decrease in terrestrial bird populations, a report released Wednesday reveals.

The study, conducted by the University of Alberta’s Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, explores the relationship between development and the abundance of common bird species in the boreal forest, an ecological zone that represents 58 per cent of the province’s land area and covers a vast expanse of the north, including Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray and the oilsands region.

The report shows that as of 2010, 21 per cent of the boreal forest had been affected by a variety of activities, including agriculture, forestry and energy production, resulting in bird populations 80 per cent of what would be expected if there was no development.

The abundance of 74 landbirds was assessed, with numbers generally highest for species that adapt readily to human development, such as barn swallows and house wrens, which were four and six times more common than would be expected. Species closely associated with old-growth forest were less abundant than anticipated, including the brown creeper, golden-crowned kinglet and black-throated green warbler. Read more>>>

The Social Lives of Plants

A diverse assemblage of plants, like this one at Cedar Creek Natural 

History Area, produces more vegetation and performs "ecosystem services" better.

One of the biggest joys of science comes when nature hands you a complete surprise.

It happened recently to two of the U's most prominent ecologists and their research colleagues, who uncovered the functional equivalent of social networks in ordinary grassland plants.

Those networks, destroyed when land is cleared for agriculture, hold hope for treating some of the world's biggest ecological ills. The existence of complex plant relationships leaped out from data on how high biodiversity—large numbers of species—boosted yields of vegetation and became even an even stronger force with time.


The two studies, led by Regents Professors David Tilman of the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior and Peter Reich of the Department of Forest Resources, continue>>>

Stemming the Tide of Biodiversity Loss on Earth

National Science Foundation awards new grants for studies of "Dimensions of Biodiversity"

 

Life on Earth is astounding in its diversity. Despite centuries of discovery, however, the vast majority of the planet's biodiversity remains unknown.

Only a few years ago, scientists shared the view that Earth's biodiversity was so vast that it might be beyond cataloging, much less understanding. That's no longer the case.

To characterize the lesser-known aspects of the diversity of life on Earth, the National Science Foundation has awarded 14 grants totaling $26.4 million in the third year of its Dimensions of Biodiversity program. Read more>>>

National Geographic Photographer Paul Nicklen Shares Images

Photographer Paul Nicklen shares breathtaking images of life in the extremes of our planet and inspires all of us to help protect a threatened world in his talk “From Pole to Pole.

Biodiversity Hotspots, India

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Major Changes Needed to Protect Australia's Species and Ecosystems

A study has highlighted the sensitivity of Australia's species and ecosystems to climate change, and the need for new ways of thinking about biodiversity conservation.

'Climate change is likely to start to transform some of Australia's natural landscapes by 2030,' lead researcher, CSIRO's Dr Michael Dunlop said. 'By 2070, the ecological impacts are likely to be very significant and widespread. Many of the environments our plants and animals currently exist in will disappear from the continent. Our grandchildren are likely to experience landscapes that are very different to the ones we have known,' he said.

Dr Dunlop said climate change will magnify existing threats to biodiversity, such as habitat clearing, water extraction and invasive species. Future climate-driven changes in other sectors, such as agriculture, water supply and electricity supply, could add yet more pressure on species and ecosystems. Read more>>>

Rodents’ Antics Aid Biodiversity

The answer—at least for one type of tree—may lie in the criminal antics of a cunning rodent. A group of scientists working with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama and Wageningen University in the Netherlands, along with other institutions, reports that by repeatedly raiding each other's stashes, these creatures spread seeds over a much wider territory than scientists had previously recognized. Dispersal is a key factor in ensuring the survival of a species because spreading individuals over a broader range can mitigate the effects of pests, move organisms into new climatic ranges and increase the flow of genes between populations.

 

The rodent in question is the agouti—a house cat–size critter that resembles a tail-less squirrel. The researchers studied agoutis caching black palm tree seeds on Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal over one year. They set up video cameras at cache sites, attached a long thread with a transmitter unit to each of 589 seeds and radio-tracked them. More than half of the seeds cached were stolen by other agoutis and recached elsewhere, continue>>>

Scientists Name New Snake Species to Criticize Mine Plans in Panama

 New snail-eating snake from Panama: Sibon noalamina. Non-venomous snail-eating snakes sport bright colors to mimic poisonous snakes as a defense.

While scientists increasingly name new species after celebrities in order to gain much-needed attention for the world's vanishing biodiversity, researchers describing a new snake species from Panama have taken a different route. Dubbing the new serpent, Sibon noalamina ('no to the mine!' in Spanish), the scientists are hoping the multicolored snake's unusual name will draw attention to mining and deforestation issues in Panama's remote Tabasará mountains. Read more>>>

Tun Mustapha Park Expedition 2012: First Day on Reef for the Biodiversity Team

The expedition team sailed east of Kudat to Pulau Lingisan where the first day of diving and data collection started. The weather has been great along the journey and the team was anticipating their first dive in the proposed Tun Mustapha Park.

After three dives on the first day, we have collected some thoughts from the Biodiversity team lead by Dr. Bert Hoeksema of Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leader of the Coral Reef Biodiversity Team. The team includes marine scientists from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Malaya, Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the University of Queensland.

After selective logging rainforest retains 76% carbon, >85% biodiversity

Selective logging risks to remain a theoretical phenomenon. Without clear incentives there is usually little reason to refrain from clear-cutting or selective logging as a single harvest stage prior to slash and burn and agricultural invasion. If however such logging is conducted in a sustainable cycle both carbon and biodiversity loss can remain comparatively small. Image by ResourceMappingGIS.com shows canopy scars after selective logging practice in northern Bolivia between 1999-2003.

 The above numbers are derived from a study by researchers of the University of Florida, Utrecht University, Wageningen University and several other institutions, published in Conservation Letters. Read more>>>

United Nations Decade on Biodiversity - Official Video

The Decade coincides with and supports the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting held in Nagoya, Japan.

Learning to Protect Biodiversity

A video showing how to address biodiversity through Education for Sustainable Development and mobilise teachers, students, researchers and decision-makers to reflect on biodiversity issues and their interdependence with global sustainable development issues.
It shows how education can help us better understand the value of biodiversity and the causes of biodiversity loss. It also gives examples of how educators and students can get active and help conserve biodiversity.
It aims to increase public awareness of biodiversity issues by inspiring stakeholders, including young people, teachers and media professionals.

Backyard Biodiversity May Stem Allergies

A decline in the variety of life — including the plants and animals that live around us, as well as the microbes on our bodies — may play a role in the rapid rise in allergies and asthma, indicates new research.

The study focused on a predisposition for allergies among 118 Finnish teenagers, finding links between a healthy immune system (the body's system for fighting disease), growing up in more natural environments and the presence of certain skin bacteria.

The results support the idea that declining biodiversity might be contributing to the rapid rise in allergies, asthma, and other inflammatory diseases, which include autoimmune disorders and some types of cancers in the developed world, said Ilkka Hanski, a research professor at the University of Helsinki. continue>>>

Study Links Biodiversity and Language Loss

The study identified that high biodiversity areas also had high linguistic diversity

The authors said that 70% of the world's languages were found within the planet's biodiversity hotspots.

Data showed that as these important environmental areas were degraded over time, cultures and languages in the area were also being lost.

The results of the study have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Biologists estimate annual loss of species at 1,000 times or more greater than historic rates, and linguists predict that 50-90% of the world's languages will disappear by the end of the century," the researchers wrote.

Lead author Larry Gorenflo from Penn State University, in the US, said previous studies had identified a geographical connection between the two, but did not offer the level of detail required.

Dr Gorenflo told BBC News that the limitation to the data was that either the languages were listed by country or there was a dot on the map to indicate the location.

"But what you did not know was if the area extended two kilometres or 200 kilometres, so you really did not get a sense of the extent of the language," he explained. continue>>>